Machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes



Nov. 4, 1941. c, K, WOODMAN 2,261,202

MACHINE FOR PRESSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Oct. 26, 1940 Patented Nov. 4, 1941 MACHINE ron PRESSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES 3 Charles K. Woodman, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application October 26, 1940, serial No. 362,899

11 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing the bottoms of shoes and more particularly tomeans for controlling a last and shoe in the pressing operation. The invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine of a type similar to that disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,175,474, granted October 10, 1939, on an application of A. A. Lawson, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in machines of the particular type illustrated. Machines of the type illustrated in the abovementioned Letters Patent are each provided with shoe bottom pressing means arranged to receive a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, and with means for supporting each last and shoe against pressure in the pressing operation. The supporting means includes a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole to support the shoe also against tipping movement laterally, as pressure is applied to its bottom face, and in order to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging the heel end of; the last in its spindle hole the last pin is so mounted asto permit it to be moved toward and from the pressing means in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe and also in directions widthwise of the shoe. Such machines are provided with means for effecting relative movement of the shoe bottom pressing means and the supporting means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure. As the shoe is released from pressure it remains on the pressing 'means with the last pin in engagement with the heel end of the last in its spindle hole. Before the last and shoe can be removed from the machine it is necessary for the operator to disengage the last pin from the'last. This tends to slow up the operator and as a result lessens the output of the machine.

An object of this invention is to relieve the operator of the necessity for thus disengaging the last pin from the last. For the purpose in view, the construction herein shown comprises a work support including a last pin so mounted as to permit it to be moved with a last and shoe, as heretofore, with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole as the last and shoe are presentedto the bottom pressing means, and means for automatically withdrawing the last pin from engagement with the heel end of the last in the relative movement of the work support and the pressing means to release the shoe from pressure. In a machine apply the pressure.

of the illustrated type the work support is located above the bottom pressing means and is movable downwardly to cause pressure to be applied to a shoe and then upwardly to release the shoe from pressure. The last pin is carried by a block arranged to engage the top of the heel end of the last, and the work support includes a holder in which the block is slidably mounted for movements in directions widthwise of the shoe. The holder is connected to another part of the work support comprising a rocking memher by different pairs oflinks pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the holder and the rocking member, the links of each pair being pivotally connected together. Spring means is pro- -vided for holding the links initially in a substantially straightened condition with the last pin located in a shoe receiving position away from over the bottom pressing means. As the last pin and the holder are moved by the operator downwardly toward the bottom pressing means with a last and shoe to present the shoe on thebottom pressing means, after the last pin has "engagedthe'heel end of the last in its spindle hole, the above-mentioned links are swung. relatively to one another and are further swung as the work support is thereafter moved downwardly to apply pressure to the shoe, an

abutment on the work support engaging the last pin holder as the work support is thus moved to As the work support is moved upwardly-away from the bottom pressing means. after the jpressingoperation, a springoperated latch on the work support acts in accordance with the present invention to hold the above-mentioned links against reverse swinging movements toward straightened condition, the

above-mentioned spring means tending at this time to swing the links in a direction to press the last pin holder against the abutment on the work support. With'the links thus held by the latch, the holder is moved upwardly with the rest of the work support to withdraw the last pin fromengagement with the heel end of the last as the shoe is released frompressure. As the last pin is moved out of engagement with the heel end of the last, the last pin holder is free to slide along the abutment on the work support into a position in which thelatch is no longer .efiective to hold the links against swinging movement into a substantially straightened condition. Theabove and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more supporting means and the shoe bottom pressing means, but illustrating the relative positions, of

the parts with a shoe under pressure in the ma chine; and

Fig. 3 is an angular view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

cured a plate 42 on which is mounted for sliding movement lengthwise of the shoe a carrier 44 for a work support which serves to support the last and shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face. The carrier 44 is held against sliding movement on the plate 42 by means of thumbscrew 46 which extends through the carrier and is arranged to engage the plate 42. The work support comprises a shoe rest 48 for engaging the shoe or last at the top of the forepart and a heel end support or block 50 which engages the top face of the heel end of the last. In order to hold the shoe efiectively against tipping movement laterally as pressure is applied to its bottom face, the heel end support 58 includes a last pin 52 arranged to extend into the spindle hole in the heel end of the last. The shoe rest 48, in the The present invention, as previously stated,

is herein shown as embodied in a machine of a type similar to that shown in-the above-mentioned Letters Patent. Unlike the machine of the prior patent, however, theshoe and last supporting means in the machine herein illustrated, instead of being stationary, is mounted for movement toward and from the shoe bottom pressing means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure. The shoe bottom pressing means, indicated generally by the reference numeral I8, is not herein shown or described in detail since it may be, and preferably is, substantially like that fully shown and described in the previously mentioned Letters Patent No. 2,175,474, the pressing means being mounted on a casting I2 supported by a spring (not shown) which acts to hold the casting I2 in a spaced relation to a second casting I4 determined by the efiective length of a bolt (not herein shown) which connects the two castings. The casting I 4 is secured by screws I6 to a bracket I8 which is seated on a boss 20 on the base 22 of the machine and is fastened to the base by screws 24, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the shoe bottom pressing means comprises diiferent pairs of devices for engaging the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel end portions, respectively, and that these different pairs of devices are relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles and are arranged to receive and support each last and shoe when placed initially thereon bottom downward by the operator. It will be further understood that in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied, the casting I2 moves toward the casting I4 against the resistance of the above-mentioned spring, and that mechanism substantially like that shown in the prior patent above mentioned is provided, in-

cluding link 26 pivotally connected at their lower I ends to the casting I4, for imparting bodily inward movements to the different pairs of pressing devices to cause them to iron the overlaid margin of the upper along the sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of a shoe, movement of the casting I2 toward the casting I4 being limited by the engagement of a shoulder 28 on the casting I2 with a shoulder 30 on the casting I4.

The casting I 4 is bored to receive a pair of vertical parallel rods 34, one of which is shown in Fig. l, which are secured at their lower ends by tapered pins 36 to a crossbar 38. The vertical rods 34, extend upwardly through hearings in the casting I2 and support adjustably near their upper ends a crosshead 40 to which there is seconstruction herein shown, comprises a leathercovered pad 54, of rubber or other suitable material, which is hollowed out laterally of the shoe and is carried on a block 56 mounted for sliding movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe on a rocking member 58. The member 58 is mounted on a laterally extending rod 60 supported by depending spaced arms 62 of the carrier 44. Pivotally mounted on the block 56 is a spring-controlled latch 64 arranged to enter any one of a series of recesses 66 formed in the member 58 to hold the block 56 in adjusted position lengthwise of the shoe. Formed on the block 55 is a dovetail-shaped tongue 68 extending laterally of the shoe and arranged to enter a similarly shaped groove in a second block ID to which the pad 54 is secured. The block 10 is held in adjusted position laterally of the shoe on the block 56 by means of setscrews I2 carried by the block 10 and arranged to engage the tongues 68, lock nuts I4 being provided for holding the setscrews in looking engagement with the tongue. It will be readily seen that the above construction permits the shoe rest 54 to be adjusted in directions both lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe as required for shoes of different sizes and styles.

The heel end supporting block 50 for engaging the top of the heel end of the last is freely movable in directions widthwise of the shoe along guideways formed in a holder I6, a screw I8 in the holder being provided for limiting such movement of the block relatively to the holder. For permitting free swinging movements of the holder I6 in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe, there are pivotally connected to its opposite sides equal links the ends of which remote from the holder are pivotally connected to a pair of equal links 82 pivotally mounted one on each side of the rocking member 58 on a pin 84 carried by this member. Extending between the opposite end portions of the pin 84 and short links 86 pivotally connected to upwardly extending portions 88 of thelinks 80 are springs 90 (one of which is shown'inFig. l) which tend to hold the links 80; 82 in'substantially straightened condifastened to the crosshead 40 is a spring 98 which tends to hold the rocking member 58 in a substantially horizontal position with the heel pin 52 substantially vertical. Except for the short links 88, by means of which the springs 80 are connected to the links 80, the shoe support, as thus far described, is substantially like that shownin the prior Patent No. 2,175,474. i

For imparting to the work support its downward movement toward the bottom pressing means I to apply pressure to a shoe, the illustrated machine is provided with fluid-pressure operated means which is substantially like that fully shown and described in an application of Frank E. Stratton, Serial No. 164,205, filed September 16, 1937, and accordingly is not herein shown in full detail. Briefly, as shown in Fig, 1, the cross bar 38 is formed integral with a large piston I00 fitted to slide in a large cylinder I02 formed in the bracket I8. Fast to the large piston I00 is an upwardly extending pistonrod I04 and secured to this piston rod is asmall piston I06 fitted to slide in a relatively small cylinder I08 formed in the bracket I8 in vertical alinement with the large cylinder I02, the bottom face IIO of the small piston I06 engaging a shoulder II2 on the piston rod I04. The small cylinder I08 above the piston I06 is provided with a chamber II4 into which fluid under pressure, preferably oil, may be introduced through a pipe I I6 to move the small and large pistons I06, I00 downwardly. As the pistons are thus moved, downward movement toward the bottom pressing means is imparted to the work support to apply pressure to a shoe through the crossbar 38 and the rods 34. The pistons are thus moved downwardly, in the illustrated construction, against the resistance of a spring I I8 that surrounds a rod I20 which is supported at its lower end by the frame 22 and at its upper end extends into a central recess I22 in the crossbar 38, the spring I I8 surrounding'the rod I20 between the crossbar 38 and an adjustable collar I24 threaded on the rod. As the large piston I00 moves downwardly it draws fiuid into the large cylinder I02 through a pipe I26 that extends downwardly into a reservoir (not shown) for the fluid. The pipe I26 communicates with a small valve chamber I28 in the bracket I8, the construction and arrangement being such that the fluid may flow from the pipe I26 through the chamber I28, a hollow valve member I30 fitted to slide in the chamber and a passageway I32 into the upper end of the large cylinder I02. The hollow valve member I30 is provided with a solid head I34 which is held normally by a spring I35 in position to close a port I36 in the wall of the small cylinder I08. The arrangement is further such that the head I34 of the valve I30 is uncovered by the small piston I06 at that time in the downward movement of the pistons when the work support is moved into engagement with the last and shoe, the pressure fluid in the chamber II4 acting thereafter to move the valve I30 against the resistance of the spring I35 to the left (Fig. 1) to open the port I36 and thus to permit the pressure fluid to flow through the port and the passage I32 into the large cylinder I02. With the pressure fluid acting on both the small and large pistons relatively heavy pressure is applied to the shoe, the maximum pressure of the fluid being determined by a relief valve (not herein shown). It will be understood that when it is desired to release the shoe from pressure, the operator will, by turning a valve (not shown), disconnect the pipe" I I6 from the source of pressure fluid and connect this pipe to the reservoir, thus permitting the spring .I I8 to impart'upward movement to the crossbar 38 and the Work support to return the work support and also the pistons I00, I66 to their initial starting positions. By reference to Fig. 1 of the drawing it will be seen that-when the work support is in its uppermost position in the machine, the heel end sup-. port 50 and the last pin 52 are located in a shoereceiving position away from over the bottom pressing means I0. After mounting a last and shoe on the last pin 52 the operator swings the holder 16 towardthe shoe rest 48 and also moves it heightwise of the shoe to carry the shoe bottom downward into engagement with the bottom pressing-means I0 and then locates the shoe both lengthwise and widthwise inthe machine by the complementally shaped pressing means, the shoe being then in the position indicated .in dotted lines in Fig. 1. As the work support moves downwardly, the shoe rest 48 engages the top of the forepart of the shoe, and an abutment I38 on the member 58 engages the holder 16, the member 58 rocking more or less about the axis of the pin 60, if necessary, to bring the shoe rest and the abutment I38 into engagement, respectively, with the forepart of the shoe and the holder '16. As the pressure is applied to the shoe in response to continued downward movement of the work support, the member 58 is held against further rocking movement relatively to the carrier 44 when the curved upper surface I40 of the member 58 engages a similarly shaped surface I42 on the carrier 44, the arms 62 of the carrier 44 being provided with elongated slots I44 to receive the rod 60 to permit sufiicient relative movement of the carrier and the member 58 to bring the two surfaces I40, I42 into engagement with each other.

For purposes of the present invention novel means is provided for automatically withdrawing the last pin 52 from engagement with the heel end of each last in the relative movement of the work support and the pressing means I0 to release each shoe from pressure. As the holder I6 and the heel end support are swung by the operator, together with a last and shoe mounted on the last pin 52, toward the shoe rest 48 and downwardly to place the last andshoe on the pressing means I0, the links 80,;82 are swung relatively to one another into the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, there is secured to the projection 88 of 'one of the links a short inwardly extending block I46 to the shank portion I40 of which is pivotally connected one of the short links 86. The links 80 and 82 of each pair are pivotally connected together by means of shouldered screws I56 the reduced end portions of which in the construction herein shown, project outwardly and thus act as stops to limit'the swinging movement of the short links 86 relatively to the links 80. Thus, as the links 80, '82 of each pair are swung into non-parallel relation to each other'the springs 90 will tend at all times to swing them into a substantially straightened condition and to return the heel end support to its initial shoe-receiving position with the holder I6 in engagement with the loop-shaped end of the rod 94. Secured to the member 58 is a substantially L-shaped bracket I52 to which there is ment with a stop pin I58 projecting from the with th last and shoe to present the shoeinitially on the pressing means II], the links 80, 82 are swung relatively to one another into the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thereafter, as the work support is moved downwardly to apply pressure to the shoe, a further relative swinging movement is imparted to the links 80, 82, the block I46 being moved into position to permit it to b engaged by the shoulder I66 on the latch I54. Fig. 2 illustrates the relative positions of the parts with a shoe under pressure in the machine. In the reverse upward movement of the work support to release the shoe from pressure, the latch I54 acts by engagement with the block I46 to hold the links 80, 82 against reverse swinging movement toward straightened condition thus causing the holder I6 and the heel end support 50 to move upwardly with the other portions of the work support and the last pin 52 to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last. When the last pin 52 is moved out of engagement with the heel end of the last, the holder 16 is free to slide along the bottom face of the abutment I38, under the action of the springs 90 on th links, until the block I46 is lowered out of engagement with the shoulder I60 on the latch I54. When this occurs the links 80 and 82 are swung by the springs 90 into substantially straightened condition to return the heel end support 50 and the last pin 52 to their initial shoe-receiving positions. It will be understood that the last and shoe remain on th pressing means from which they may be quickly removed by the operator without the necessity of having to withdraw the last pin.

Having described th invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with bottom pressing means, of shoe and last supporting means including a last pin for engaging the heel end of each last in its spindle hole, said supporting means and the pressing means being relatively movable to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure, and means for withdrawing the last pin from the spindle hole in the last in response to the relative movement of the supporting means and the pressing means to release the shoe from pressure.

2. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with bottom pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of shoe and last supporting means including a last pin so mounted as to permit it to be moved with a last and shoe with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole as the last and shoe are presented on said bottom pressing means, means for moving said supporting means toward and from said pressing means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure, and means for automatically withdrawing the last pin from engagement with the heel end of the last in the movement of the supporting means away from said pressing means to release the shoe from pressure.

3. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a last pin movable in a direction heightwise of the shoe to permit it to engage the heel end of the last in its spindle hole when the last and shoe are presented on said pressing means, means movable relatively to said last pin toward the shoe to press it against said pressing'means and then reversely to release the shoe from pressure, and means for withdrawing the last pin from engagement with the heel end of the last in the reverse movement of said last-named means while the last and shoe remain on said pressing means.

, 4. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, a work support, bottom pressing means located beneath said work support and arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, said work support including a last pin mounted for movement relatively to other portions of the Work support toward the pressing means to permit it to engage the heel end of the last in its spindle hole when the last and shoe are placed on said pressing means, means for imparting downward movement to said other portions of the work support to apply pressure to the shoe and for thereafter moving them upwardly to release the shoe from pressure, and means for holding the last pin in fixed relation to said other portions of the support in their upward movement to cause the last pin to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last as the shoe is released from pressure.

5. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, bottom pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, a work support located above said pressing means and movable downwardly to apply pressure to a shoe on said pressing means and then reversely to release the shoe from pressure, said work support including a last pin movable downward relatively to other portions of said support to permit it to engage the heel end of the last in its spindle hole when the last and shoe are presented on said bottom pressing means, and means carried by the work support for withdrawing the last pin from engagement with the heel end of the last in the reverse movement of the work support to release the shoe from pressure.

6. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, shoe bottom pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, a work support located above said pressing means and movable downwardly to apply pressure to a shoe on said pressing means and then upwardly to release the shoe from pressure, said work support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, difierent pairs of links connecting the last pin and other portions of said work support, said difierent pairs of links being swingable relatively to one another to permit movement of the last pin with a last and shoe with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole as the last and shoe are placed on the pressing means, and means for holding the links against swinging movement in the upward movement of the work support to cause the last pin to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last as the shoe is released from pressure.

'7. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, shoe bottom pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, a work support located above said pressing means and movable downwardly to apply pressure to a shoe on said pressing means and then upwardly to release the shoe from pressure, said work support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole. different pairs of links connecting the last pin and other portions of said work support, said different pairs of links being swingable relatively to one another from a substantially straightened condition to permit movement of the last pin with a last and shoe as the last and shoe are placed on said pressing means after the last pin has engaged the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, spring means against the resistance of which the different pairs of links are swingable, and a latch arranged to hold said links against reverse swinging movement towards straightened condition in the upward movement of the work support to cause the last pin to be Withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last as the shoe is released from pressure.

8. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with bottom pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, a work support movable toward and from said pressing means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure, said work support including a last pin arranged to engage each last in its spindle hole, said last pin being so mounted as to permit it to be moved in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe relatively to other portions of the work support to facilitate the placing of a last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, and means for holding the last pin against movement relatively to said other portions of the work support in the movement of the support away from said pressing means to cause the last pin to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last.

9. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a work support movable toward and from said pressing means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure, said work support comprising a shoe rest for engaging the forepart of the shoe and a heel end support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of each last in its spindle hole, said heel end support being so mounted as to permit it to be moved relatively to other portions of the work support in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging the last in its spindle hole and with the heel end support in position to be engaged by an abutment on the work support in the movement of said other portions of the support toward the pressing means to apply pressure to the shoe, and means for holding the heel end support in engagement with said abutment in the movement of the support away from said pressing means to cause the last pin to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last as the shoe is thus released from pressure.

10. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means'arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a member movable toward and from said pressing means to apply pressure to a shoe and then to release the shoe from pressure, a shoe rest carried by said member for engaging the forepart of the shoe, a block for engaging the top of the heel end of the last and provided with a last pin for engaging the heel end ofthe last in its spindle hole, a holder for said block, connections between said holder and the member comprising different pairs of links pivotally connected to the opposite sides of said holder and said member, the links of each pair being pivotally connected together and swingable to permit the holder to be moved in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on said pressing means with the last pin engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, spring means tending to hold said links normally in a substantially straightened condition and against the resistance of which the links are movable into nonparallel relation as the holder is thus moved, an abutment on said member arranged to engage said holderin the movement of the member toward the pressing means to apply pressure to the shoe, and means for holding said links in non-parallel relation with the holder in engagement with said abutment as the member is moved away from said pressing means to cause the last pin to be withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last in its spindle hole while the last and shoe remain on said pressing means.

11. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with pressing means arranged to receive and support a last and shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward, of a work support movable from a position above said pressing means downwardly to apply pressure to a shoe on said pressing means and then reversely to release the shoe from pressure, said work support including a last pin for engaging the heel end of the last in its spindle hole, a holder for said last pin, and connections between said holder and another portion of the work support comprising different pairs of links pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the holder and said other portion of the work support, the links of each pair being also pivotally connected together, spring means tending to hold said links normally in a substantially straightened condition and against the resistance ,of which the links are swingable to permit the holder and the last pin to be moved downwardly to facilitate the placing of each last and shoe on the pressing means with the last pin engaging the last in its spindle hole, a block carried by one of said links, and a spring-operated latch arranged to engage said block in the downward movement of the work support to apply pressure to the shoe and to hold said links against reverse swinging movement toward straightened condition in the upward movement of said work support until after the last pin has been withdrawn from engagement with the heel end of the last.

CHARLES K. WOODMAN. 

